JAI 82 - just add something you've had in your stash for ages and not used

Hello there :)
we have a great challenge for you this week at Just Add Ink - it's time to dig through the back of your cupboard and bring something unused and unloved out into the light :) Yes this week the challenge is to use something from your stash thats been there a while and not used (now none of us do that do we!! cough cough). For me it was the prod excuse I needed to make a shadow box picture I had promised to make for my lovely Miss 6 nearly a year ago (when I made a picture for my Mr 2 as he was at the time. This is what I made for him).  So what did I pull out from my stash - well first up the shadow box frame (shiny gold of course - very important according to Miss 6) now thats been there for nearly a year. But my real reclaimation item was some paper flowers. I had a pack in a bright pink - which turned out to be perfect match to Melon Mambo and a pack of undyed ones. How long have they been in the stash? - so long I can't remember !! So I tried my hand at colouring paper flowers for the first time - it was so easy! Hah how long did it take me to work that out!! Ok on to the end result. I will post a warning though - expect princesses and castles and flowers and glitter (smile).

And a close up of some of the details.

I wanted to use the layers in the shadow box as well as graduated colours to create a sense of depth. After looking at the distant hills as I drove to work for several mornings in a row it seemed to me that often things get lighter in the distance. So for my trees the foliage of my front tree is Old Olive, then Wild Wasabi and the furthest away is Certainly Celery. Likewise with my two grass borders, the front one is Garden Green and then next one in Old Olive and the hill behind is some Kiwi Kiss I dug out from my retired stash. I used copics to colour in the princess, pony and castle. The castle was my first go at colouring on Crumb Cake which worked OK, but you certainly can't blend on it like you can on X-Press cardstock. I paper pieced all the windows and turrets so I could get brighter colours on those. I just had to add some stitching and had the idea of using the stitching to accentuate the rays from the sun I was really pleased with how that turned out. Funnily enough I had intended to use the other side of the backing DSP (it has a cloud pattern on it) but on packing it up (otherwise known as chucking everything back in the frame one day I had the gingham side turned up and both Miss 6 and I looked at it and went - hmmm like that! So the gingham stayed. Finishing touches include bling of course!!! rhinestones and dazzling diamonds, flowers and flower path for the pony, and a sentiment.

I had fun making this and am really pleased I have managed to fulfill my promise to my beautiful Miss 6. When she smiles the whole world is filled with sunshine and this did bring a smile to her face (and mine).

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to check out the other fabulous DT offerings!

Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Pony Party, Through the trees (PaperTrey Inc), Magical Castle (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Garden Green, Kiwi Kiss (R), X Press blending card 
Ink: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Lots of Tags sizzlet, 1 3/4" circle punch, Grass border punch (Martha Stewart), Copics, Punch Pack, Sweet Slumber DSP (R), Cloud dies (PaperTrey Inc), Paper flowers pink and plain (??), Jewels - rhinestones, Brayer, Dazzling Diamonds, Two way glue pen, Dimensionals

JAI 78 - Just add a colour combo

Hello there,

despite being in the depths of winter, with a -5oC night expected I felt like we had a touch of spring around today - firstly the sun was shining (mostly) and even more springy was that I noticed the first daffodil bud in the garden - its probably still a couple of weeks off blooming but its a nice sign of times to come! (also coming with Spring is our new SU! catalogue - also something to look forward to eh!!). My card today has a touch of autumn/winter to it inspired by the lovely colour combo challenge we have for you at Just Add Ink this week. Here it is.

I thought these colours would be perfect for a card for my Dad, and with Father's Day coming up down here in AUS in September I decided to try and get organised early. I also had a brand new set that I was very keen on inking up (French Foliage) so here is the result.

The inside

I started by stamping a panel of Very Vanilla all over with leaves inked first in Certainly Celery then rock and rolled in Not Quite Navy, I also added the text image in Sahara Sand, and spoltches in stamped off Chocolate Chip. That was mounted on a Chocolate Chip base.  Next I stamped a large branchy tree in Chocolate Chip on Vanilla and trimmed it out. I mounted that to the side of another Vanilla panel that I stamped with an assortment of sentiments to make up the message to my Dad. That Vanilla panel was mounted on top of a Choc Chip mat that had been embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder. To finish off the front of the card I wrapped linen thread across the front, and added two little Not Quite Navy birds. The inside was stamped and matted to match the front.

Thanks for visiting, this is a really lovely colour combo so if you get the chance why don't you give it a go this week.

Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted

Stamps: French Foliage, Vintage Labels(R), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU!), Through the Trees, Tiny Tags, Botanical Silhouettes (Papertrey Inc)

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, Large Labels (Spellbinder), Linen Thread, Silver brad, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X press)

Make it Monday 2 - Sympathy

Hi there,

today was one of those rare days when I HAD to make a card, sadly it is one to send to my cousin whose mother just recently passed away. My auntie was a really special lady and will definitely be missed by the family!

I haven't made many sympathy cards (thankfully) but I knew I wanted to keep it simple and not too somber. The design was heavily influenced by Nichole Heady not any specific card but just the general style and design. I also incorporated the new Make Monday challenge see below for details.



So I started with a Chocolate base, layered that with a panel of Confetti White (SU!), which I then impressed with the Linen and Canvas plate, I also rounded all the corners. At the mid point I added some double sided tape and then added a strip of patterned paper that I had crumpled up and then "ruffled" into folds. Using brown thread I used my sewing machine to secure and accent the paper ruffle. For the focal point I used a Chocolate Mat stack 4 (impressed with Bookprint impression plate), layered that with a Mat Stack 1 (from Confetti white) stamped a frame, then added a stamped off leafy branch. Over the top of that I added a strip of vellum, and stamped the sentiment (yes I have finally got to the Make it Monday 2 challenge - added a vellum sentiment strip). I secured the vellum with a small strip of scor tape and then added buttons, threaded with linen thread to accent the central panel. the inside was finished off very simply to match.

Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe:
Stamps: Mat Stack 1 collection, Turning a New Leaf, Through the Trees (PaperTrey Inc)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Confetti White, Vellum (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Early Expresso
Accessories: Mat Stack 1 and Mat Stack 4 dies (PTI), Linen and Canvas impression plate, Bookprint impression plate (PTI), Turning a New Leaf patterned paper (PTI), Ripe Avocado buttons (PTI), Corner rounder punch (SU!), Linen thread, Double sided tape (X press), SNAIL adhesive (SU!), Scor Tape, Tombow Multi, Dimensionals (SU!), sewing machine

Make it Monday 1 - Thinking of You

Hello there,

well this is turning out to be a bumper week on the blog! Yes I do have something else to show you - Mr almost 3 who was feeling very poorly with a cold (which he has now oh so kindly passed on to Mum) actually had a nap Tuesday - and I set straight to work to have a go at the very first PTI Make it Monday challenge. The first technique/ challenge was to use a sentiment collage on your card.

So I pulled all my PTI sets out of the cupboard and started thinking - and decided to go with a thinking about you card! Once I had Tiny Treats Valentine out and On My Couch I just couldn't go past putting that very cute little doggy on the couch.




OK I started with Chocolate base, then added a layer of Aqua Mist, my sentiment collage was added to the bottom of the Aqua panel all stamped in Chocolate except one key sentiment in red. For an accent I added a little red heart next to it and a couple more brown ones else where in the sentiment collage. For the upper half I used some white cardstock impressed with the Linen and Canvas impression plate. I added a scalloped strip of Happy Spots patterned paper over the join. For the focal point I used a Mat Stack 3 die cut, over that I added a couch die cut from Happy Spots paper. To give the couch some shading I used a copic (BG11). I stamped the little dog and coloured him in with copics (E35, 37,39 R29), cut him out and used dimensionals to sit him on the couch. The final accents were a cluster of buttons, all threaded with bakers twine, and some more bakers twine wound across the die cut. Oh and I added a little glaze to the two red hearts.

My DH is likely to do some travelling later this year - so I'm thinking this might be good card to write and tuck into his suitcase to open while he is away.

Thanks for visiting,

Kim

Recipe:
Stamps: On My Couch, Tiny Treats Valentine, Through the Trees, Blooming Button Bits (PaperTrey Inc), Curly Cute, So Happy for You (SU!)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Stamper Select White (PTI), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red (SU!), Tuxedo Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Copic markers, Happy Spots patterned paper (PTI), Mat Stack 3 die (PTI), On My Couch die (PTI), Linen and Canvas Impression plate (PTI), Scallop border punch (SU!), Bakers twine chocolate (PTI), Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy and Spring Rain buttons (PTI), Two step owl punch (SU!), Aqualip/Glaze pen - clear (Sakura), Dimensionals (SU!), Double sided tape (X Press)

Inkspirations 54 - Tree of Love

Hi all,

ahhh I loved the colour combo Keesh set on first sight last Friday night (for this weeks Inkspiration challenge). But what to use it for? Here's the colour combo so you can see if it has as much appeal for you.


Now my DH is not a valentines man - at all!! But we do have our anniversary (first date (Feb) and then wedding (April) I might add they were 6 years apart!) coming up. So I decided to make a card for him. I remember last year blogging that I wasn't sure he would like the card I made for him then, this was it, and I feel the same way this year. But I like how it turned out so at least one of us will ;)Oh I should mention that I used the Sweet Sunday sketch challenge 98 sketch from a few weeks ago. Ok here is what I came up with.



I started with a square Early Expresso base and layered that with Very Vanilla stamped with a woodgrain pattern in Pear Pizzazz. Over that I added a large strip of Early Expresso, with large scallops on one side and impressed with a woodgrain pattern. Then I layered some Pear Pizzazz ribbon over that. For the main image I stamped the trunk portion of a PTI tree (Through the Trees) in Early Expresso, then punched out lots of little hearts in Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz to add as "leaves". I SNAILed the hearts in place or mounted some up on dimensionals. I also added one stamped Early Expresso heart as an accent to the tree (covered in cyrstal effects). At the base of the tree I stamped some small text to ground it and then add two falling "leaves" one stamped with love and the other with you. The tree image was cut out with a circle nestability (prior to adding all the leaves of course) and I also cut a Expresso mat for it. Then I trimmed a fraction off the right side and added it to the base layers with dimensionals. I finished off the inside to match, by cutting a circle then stamping the woodgrain over it, then peeling the circle away and adding one little Expresso heart.

Hope you like it too :)

Thanks for visiting,

Kim

Recipe:
Stamps: Tiny Tags, Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU!), Through the Trees, Background Basics Woodgrain, Background Basics Text Style (PTI)
Cardstock: Early Expresso, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride
Ink: Early Expresso, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Large scallop border die (PTI), Woodgrain Impression plate (PTI), small heart punch (SU!), Pear Pizzazz Stitched Polyribbon, Circle nestabilities (Spellbinder), Crystal effects, SNAIL adhesive, Double sided tape

Inkspirations 33 - Nature and Nuture

Hi all, this week Makeesha Byl (welcome back Keesh :) posted a great sketch for her weekly challenge, so great in fact that I couldn't help myself and made two cards!! There is something about sketches with circles or ovals that really appeals to me. Having said that my favourite of my two cards this week - doesn't have either ;) Here's the sketch. My first card was inspired by one that Nicole Heady posted back in June for the USA father's day. I love the effect she got and couldn't resist having a go. Here's what I came up with. I started with a square Chocolate Chip base and layered that with some PTI paper. For the image panel I started with some Rustic Ivory cardstock, stamped fine text over it in Old Olive and then over that stamped my tree in Versamark. I then clear embossed the tree, then got a sponge and started sponging Old Olive over the embossed tree till I got the depth of colour I wanted. Almost at the same time the sponge would also remove the ink from the embossed image so the tree started to pop out. To remove any excess ink I just went over carefully with a clean tissue. The tree panel was then cut with a Spellbinder Large Label, and mounted on some Choc Chip cardstock. The finished tree panel was laid over three strip of twill that I SNAILed down to the DSP, then frayed the ends and then stitched zig zag over. I really love the earthy atmospheric feel of this one. It even got an approving hmm from my DH! OK now for a change of pace here is card two. I'm back to girl's birthday cards again for this one. Here it is. I started by rifling through my DSP collection for a pattern that was suitably girly and would be good for paper piecing. Having settled on this DSP, I got out my stamp, stamped her on Whisper White and also onto the DSP. Then I proceeded to trim out her bow, dress and shoes from the DSP. I used the two way glue pen to stick the DSP onto the stamped image base. Then I got my aquapainter and coloured the rest of her in. Once all that was done I could add the crystal effects to her bow, collar and shoes. I also stamped the cake onto Pink Pirouette and DSP, cut out alternating DSP layers, adhered those, then added crystal effects icing and candle flame - blinged up with a sprinkle of dazzling diamonds. The central image was cut out with an oval die, sponged around the edges with Pink Pirouette, and then layered onto a scalloped oval mat of Riding Hood Red. Rather than three horizontal bands, as per the sketch I have ended up going with two and a half. The top and bottom are strips of DSP laid over scalloped Riding Hood Red. The half ;) is a bow of RHR taffeta from which two little sentiment tags hang. As a final detail I also pierced all the scallops. The large Pink Pirouette mat below was wheeled with the Happy Birthday wheel in Pink Pirouette so it adds just a subtle pattern and message at the same time. I even managed to get it all mostly straight! That was laid over a white mat and then finally the RHR base. I can't deny this wasn't fiddly but every now and again I like to play around with something that is fiddly and I think the fiddling paid off. Thanks for visiting and working your way through the saqa. Don't forget to drop by this Friday when my next Just Add Ink DT card will be posted. Kim Nature Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted Stamps: Through the Trees (PaperTrey Inc), Background Basics Text Style (PaperTrey Inc) Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Rustic Ivory Ink: Old Olive, Versamark Accessories: Turning a New Leaf DSP (PTI), Spellbinders Large Labels, Clear embossing powder, Sponge, Twill Tape, sewing machine, SNAIL adhesive, double sided tape, Dimensionals Nuture Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted Stamps: Anna Mae(Our Craft Lounge), Happy Birthday, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Tiny Tags Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White Ink: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom Accessories: Bella Rose DSP, Medium Jewelery Tag, Scallop Border punch, Mat pack and piercing tool, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinder), Crystal effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Silver cord, SNAIL, Double sided tape, Two way glue pen, Dimensionals

For Mum

Hi there,

I have managed to combine two challenges again this week. The inspiration picture that Makeesha Byl set as the challenge start point was perfect for the next Mother’s day card I had to make, and I really liked the sketch the Just Add Ink team set for their challenge this week. See the inspiration pic and the sketch below.

The key things that struck me about the Makeesha’s inspiration pic was the brightness of it, the purple tones, the light green and that shot of black. I knew I wanted to use some sort of striking flower/tree image – and as it turns out I had the perfect one. But to make it work I had to turn the sketch on it side, but I reckon it works quite well that way too !

To highlight the brightness I decided to stamp the tree canopy in versamark on Always Amethyst then emboss with white embossing powder. To inject that shot of black I then stamped the tree trunk in Basic Black. To give the tree some more depth I sponged some Lovely Lilac onto the centre of the tree, and then used Always Amethyst more towards the edges. I then wiped the purple inks off the embossed leaves – so a bitof emboss resist really. To finish that panel I “earthed” the tree by stamping with a strip of tiny text in Always Amethyst. Then I matted the panel onto Certainly Celery and then Lovely Lilac. I used my Apron Lace border punch on the right hand side of the Lilac layer. For the base of the card I decided to use white as I wanted to accent the brightness, rolling it with a lovely leafy wheel pattern in Certainly Celery. The final touches were a couple of purple buttons (threaded with white cotton) in the upper right, as per the sketch, and the sentiment (which I had to rotate). I stamped that in Lovely Lilac and accented it with a large purple toned button threaded with white embroidery cotton tied in a bow. The inside was simply finished off to match the outside.

Thanks for visiting,

Kim

Recipe: All SU unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Leaves and Swirls (R), Through the Trees (PaperTrey Inc, PTI), Background Basics Text Style (PTI)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Always Amethyst, Lovely Lilac
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Always Amethyst, Lovely Lilac
Accessories: White Embossing powder, Sponge, Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Plum Pudding buttons (PTI), Glue Dots, White Embroidery cotton, SNAIL adhesive, Double sided tape, Dimensional

The Blue Bird

Hi all,

well I am back again, after the excitment of actually winning Makeesha Byl's first challenge of the year (see my last post). I was doubly pleased in retrospect when I realised it had been a colour challenge, and those are usually the ones I struggle with the most. This week however Makeesha set an inspiration challenge. Here's her pic.

What I found immediately striking was both the clean, whiteness of the image and the branches. It also made me think blue, I think because that clear bright light streaming in - to me meant there just had to be a blue sky outside. Ok here's what I ended up with.

I really wanted to stick to basic palette of Chocolate Chip, White and the blue I settled on was Brocade Blue. I admit I have rarely used it which is a pity as I do like it very much. The perfect stamp set arrived the day of the challenge - so I got to play with new "rubber" too - always fun! First I inked up the stamp in Versamark, then in Chocolate Chip, after stamping I very quickly added clear embossing powder so I could emboss it. Which you can't see in the photos unfortunately. I trimmed out the image then mounted it (on dimensionals) on a layer of Whisper White, then layered that on Chocolate Chip. That panel was again raised up on dimensionals. This was mounted on the base which was Chocolate Chip, with a dry embossed branch pattern. The cuttlebug folder was too small to do the whole panel, so I did one half then the other and covered the meeting point with some Brocade Blue ribbon. I added a little Brocade Blue bird to the trees and a sentiment tag embellished with a lovely big blue button, threaded with some linen twine. The inside was finished off with another tree and some more birds. It makes I think a nice birthday card, most likely for a man.

Thanks for visiting,

Kim

Recipe: All SU unless noted otherwise

Stamps: Through the Trees (PaperTrey Inc)

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Brocade Blue

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Veramark

Accessories: Brocade Blue wide grosgrain ribbon, Linen twine, Enchanted Evening button Papertrey Inc), Cuttlebug folder Forest Branches, dimensionals, double sided tape, SNAIL adhesive